Rural Heritage Tour

Switzerland County

Rural Heritage TOUR

1855 - 1865

Tour the two story frame Greek Revival house and stone smoke house built by Swiss immigrants, Justi and Mary Thiebaud for their Family of ten children.

(Agriculture Center)

Two Sites - Two Families

Enjoy the Family life and culture of two French-Swiss families separated by 50 years located in one of Indiana's most rural counties. Sample hearth cooking, walk in the kitchen garden,talk with period reenactors and learn about their trades.

Both Sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Photo credits: Vickie Young, Donna Weaver

2013 Tour

October 12 & 13

Admission Free

Donations appreciated

2012 Rural Heritage Tour

supported by:

Switzerland County Tourism

Vevay Switzerland County Foundation

Musee de Venoge does not have electricity, heat or water and uses heating and lighting sources common to 1815. The Thiebaud house is intended to be used throughout the year for a variety of functions, so unobtrusive conveniences have been utilized but activities and techniques are representative of 1860.

1805 - 1815

Visit one of the few remaining examples of French colonial architecture that once characterized the first settlement of Switzerland County. Explore history in this French-Swiss cottage. (www.venoge.org)

2012 Rural Heritage Tour was a tremendous success!

The home of Justi and Mary Thiebaud has been faithfully restored, once again welcoming visitors to the mid-19th century in Switzerland County.

The front hall entryway provides access to all parts of the house…left to the formal parlor, right to the family parlor, straight ahead to the breezeway and up to the two bedrooms and attic. All painted surfaces and wood have been restored to the original colors, determined through analysis by specialist Matthew Mosca.

On the mantle in the formal parlor are pictures of Justi and Mary and the hair wreath crafted in 1865 representing the Thiebaud family. The cupboard doors have been faux-grained to represent rosewood, which was their original finish.

Mary Thiebaud's spinning wheel had been at the museum, waiting for its return to the parlor.

The straw tick airing on a rope bed is on one of the four beds in the children’s room. The Thiebaud family had 10 children.

The kitchen once again has a fireplace, returning it to its role as the heart of the home.

Jerry Wallin is a talented cooper, sharing his craft with visitors during the Rural Heritage Tour.

Mary Thiebaud (Judi Terpening) prepared a wonderful lunch of venison stew, applesauce and cornbread.

This was the first meal of many-to-come to be prepared in the kitchen fireplace. Modern times had significantly altered the kitchen, but architectural clues provided the information for restoration.

The upstairs landing provides a likely place for the children’s favorite things.

The windows provide a view of the Ohio River, where the Thiebauds once had a landing where they could ship the hay from their haypress barn.

A cozy place in the kitchen for the ongoing sewing in a busy household…

The kitchen is thought to have pre-dated the two story frame Greek Revival, connected together by a breezeway. A welcoming site for future interpretive events!

Click anywhere in the pictures to view

a slide show of the 2012 tour.

2012 Tour at:

Musee de Venoge

The Switzerland County Historical Society and Musee de Venoge are extremely pleased to have welcomed our local community and visitors from throughout the tri-state area. The rewarding accolades received throughout the two-day event are very much appreciated.

The Thiebaud house was incredibly welcoming, especially after sitting vacant for over 20 years and being the object of restoration for the past year. Add a wonderful collection of period appropriate furnishings (all donated!!!), devoted reenactors and the tantalizing scents of hearth cooking and you are transformed to the mid-19th century.